princessdeia

July 21st 2008
Filed under General

After seeing Yoel’s success on Stash Busting, it struck me that if I am seriously going to decrease my stash, I am going to have to break into my core stash… without a doubt my favourite yarn has to be my mirage sock yarn – I love the colour, the texture, everything about this yarn but it deserves to be something special… and so I cast on the Lace Ribbon Scarf.

 Next, I had some Wexford Merino Silk, as I had one skein, I knew my choices would be limited. My first thought was a mini clapotis or one row scarf, but Yogicknitter suggested a Dream Swatch Head Wrap, which works really well with the silk, I actually have enough yarn to make a scarf rather than just the wrap.

July 7th 2008
Filed under Finished Projects 2008, Swaps

Last year, I decided to take part in the Pay it Forward scheme… well six months on I finally got around to sending out my parcels and a few months after that I finally get around to blogging about it!

As part of the One Skein Swap a few years ago I was sent a mini knitted bag, to this day the mini bag sits in my knitting kit, I use it to store hand cream, lip balm and a nail file for all my girly knitting emergencies! The bag has a special place in my heart, it was the first hand knitted gift I ever received but is also serves as a reminder of all the wonderful friends I have made via the knitting world and their generosity. I wanted to spread this reminder…

… So for the Pay it Forward, I made these little bags… each one is based on a sock pattern!

The “Pomatomus” Bag is done on 96 stitches on 3.25mm needles. I began with the twisted rib for 15 rows (including an eyelet row for the i-cord), then I started on Chart A from the pattern for 3 repeats.
Finally, I repeated rows 1-12 omitting the YO (therefore decreasing a stitch each round), the result was an amazing swirling pattern on the base.  Until 8 stitches remain.
Break yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread tail through the remaining sts and pull tight.

The “Jaywalker” Bag, started on 104 stitches on 3.25mm, 10 rows in stocking stitch (again including an eyelet row).
Row 1: K1 M1 K6 S1 K2tog psso K6 M1 K1
Row 2: Knit
Repeat rows 1 and 2 35 times, then omit the M1s until 6 stitches remain.
Break yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread tail through the remaining sts and pull tight.

The “Monkey” Bag is made in a similar fashion to the Pomatomus bag (with 96 stitches).

May 20th 2008
Filed under Finished Projects 2008, General, Socks

Yarn: NDS – ALBA Shetland 4ply, in Green.
Pattern: Baudelaire from Knitty.
Needles: 2.5mm
Notes: The last time I made these socks I had a few problems with the casting off – but this time I used the Tubular Cast off and it works. I brought yarn at Ally Pally last autumn, unfortunately it is no longer available.

Published with wonder of WordPress, whilst I am away.

April 4th 2008
Filed under General, Socks

Last night was the first meeting of the the Socktopus Sock Club at the Troubadour Coffee Shop in Earl’s Court. Some of us arranged to meet up at the tube station first, and planned on walking to the cafe together.

After waiting for a while the call of knitting was too strong and we headed to the cafe, but concerned we might have left Alex behind we left her a little note, thanks to Mel and her Post it Notes!

Once we got to the cafe (and found Alex), we discovered it was buy one get one free on cocktails, I figured it was safe to have a couple of Cosmo’s and knit, fully expecting that I would have to rip back my knitting this morning!

It was great to catch up with everyone, meet some new knitters and even watch as we converted our waiter into a knitter! It almost makes up for having missed Alice’s Hen Do.

All in all a perfect night, knitting, greats and some rather lovely Stockey Tiffee Pudding!

April 1st 2008
Filed under General, Project Spectrum, Project Spectrum - Elements

Two months ago, I set myself some definate goals as part of Stashalong, I made a long list, , sorted out my stash, and even created a page to montiner my goals… and of course like all good plans it didn’t quiet work out that way.

I did suceed in using up most of my pink yarn – apart from the Knit Pick Shimmer (I still have no idea what I am going to use this yarn for), and I am now ready to start working with my earthy shades – yet again I have a list!

1. The Natural Dyed Studio – Alba, 2. KnitWitches Pure Silk, 3. Lorna Lace Solid Sock Yarn

I am planning on casting on another pair of Baudelaire socks in the green – ready for the Socktopus meet up on Thursday. a scarf in the silk and more socks in the brown – stashbusting with some leftover Lorna Lace.

On a final note from PS3 – Fire, I recieved this lovely little fire faerie from Wanda.

February 1st 2008
Filed under General, Project Spectrum, Project Spectrum - Elements

For me and my knitting February means the start of Project Spectrum, this year’s theme all about the Elements and linking them to colour and crafting…

The project is starting of with FIRE incorporating oranges, reds, and pinks. I am hoping adding elements to the project will really help me get a little more creative, I am apart from just experimenting with colours now we have a theme, knitting Flickering Flames Socks or Candle Flame Shawl.

I want to experiment more with colour for me, I live in a uniform of jeans and tee during the day and dresses in the evening. All are shades of blue, black or brown. Occasionally, I buy a red or pink t-shirt and only wear it once. I would never dream of wearing something orange or yellow (I barely even wear green). My home is exactly the same, shades of blue and brown, the only colour is on the beds with a pink or lilac duvet cover.

For Christmas, I got the Kate Spade Style book, I love the ways she talks about colour and it’s relation to the world around us, from, people to film, to clothes to everyday objects. She also then gives tips to add colour to our lives. I figure this is the perfect time for me start examining colour and also experimenting with it in my life.

As this is a knitting blog, I guess I should show off the firey yarn in my stash.

1. NDS – Dazzle, for a special project, 2. Cascade 220, for a Hot Bottle Cover,
3. KnitWitches Sock Yarn, 4. Knit Picks Shimmer – I have not idea what to do with these yarns.

January 28th 2008
Filed under General, Stash Enhancement

1. NDS – Mirage, 2. NDS – Dazzle, 3. Cascade 220 – Paints,
4. Cascade 220 – Heathers, 5. Cascade 220 – Quarto, 6. Cascade 220.

I did have big plans to start the year as a two-project-gal, to stash bust and not to develop startitis. Of course this wasn’t going to last long, I went a little mad online, was planning on finally getting around to ordering my Knit Picks Options Needles and Nickel DPN sets. (I got even some cash for Christmas I wanted to spend), then I wanted to buy some Cascade Yarn to make felted hot bottle covers (I went really mad here and brought four types), and then I remember the lovely mirage sock yarn Emms was using at Alice‘s Knitmas Party, so of course I have to buy some.

I have been really good in regard to not starting projects, for most this month I have only had two pairs of socks on the needles. I was planning on casting on the Ene shawl (as it was the poll winner last month), however, I am not sure if Shimmer is the right yarn for this project – I think I will get some Knitwitches Silk for this project.

Instead I cast on a Short Row Scarf, using Wendy Fusion yarn, I felt the colour runs where too long to really show off the entrelac pattern, this pattern is much better suited, as each section seems to be a “different” colour.

*Stash Accumulation Beyond Life Expectancy

August 17th 2007
Filed under Project Spectrum v2.0, Sweaters

Inspired by the group on Ravelry, I have decided to try and knit from my stash again. With my knitting budget linked to Knit Wars (I have nearly 30 pounds saved up), a guilty feeling every time I see the two boxes of yarn in the corner and this bi-monthly colour triad for Project Spectrum (why do I collect purple yarn).

1. Texere Top Cotton, 2. Araucania Patagonia Nature Cotton (to make a v-neck sweater).
3. Natural Dye Studio, (Pomatomus Socks) 4. Knit Picks Palette – Brown -(top-up socks, maybe Baudelaire).

I have been working on my Central Park Hoodie most the week, following Lauren’s lead on at the KAL, I decided to knit this baby in one working on the back and sides at the same time.

I have adjusted the pattern slightly to accommodate knitting as one piece, eliminating a stitch at each edge for selvage, then adding an extra set of cables – which will be under the arms (where the seam should be).

Also, I have finished my Silk Shrug, I am just waiting for some sunshine to get outside and take some decent photos.

August 10th 2007
Filed under Summer of Socks, Sweaters

This sock might not look very expensive to you but it is worth 16 gold pieces to me…

That sounds really geeky, but then I am a geek, read comics, love sci-fi movies and if I had the time I would probably have played RPG. When I read about Knit Wars on the Lime and Violet site I knew this was the challenge for me.

This is the perfect way for me to control my spending, I am going to treat my gold like Boots Advantage Points, for every 4 pieces of gold I earn, can be translated into one pound actual money to spend on yarn/knitting supplies.

Of course this comes at the perfect time because Get Knitted, have started selling Knit Pick needles, I have resisted temptation as I have spent a lot of money on yarn over the past few months, but I have been dying to get my hands on an Option Set for ages, then I saw the collection of DPN’s that they sell and I wanted them too.

So far this week, I have managed to earn nearly 10 pounds from a few hours knitting casting on my Central Park Hoodie and finishing one sock. However, I did encounter the Knitting Mojo Blockage monster – which I think translates to me not knitting much this weekend.

Edit: I have just realised even blogging can earn me gold!

July 31st 2007
Filed under Socks, Summer of Socks

One of Jason’s old school friends got married in Las Vegas last autumn, unfortunately we couldn’t attend the wedding – but they had a Wedding Reception for their family and friends this weekend in Cambridge.

The reception was in The Old Library of Trinity Hall, which was an amazing venue – whilst we had welcome drinks in the courtyard we watched all the punters – waiting for one to fall in! Their wedding cake was Vegas themed and so obviously we loved it!

Having watched the punting, we had to take part and after dinner, we had our little adventure (although Jason didn’t join in). having no idea about punting I ventured into a boat with some guests from America – which was the right choice as we were in the only boat with wine! Whilst enjoying the sites of Cambridge we discussed amongst other things our favourite Family Guy Quotes, mine being the whole Cookie Monster Addiction scene.

Last night, whilst at home suddenly realised that like my favourite blue monster that I am an addict, only I am addicted to Cookie A sock patterns and not choccy-chip treats. I cast on my Pomatomus socks last night and at around midnight I realised I had completed the ribbing and almost on repeat of the pattern (about 20 lines), I think I am hooked on the pattern.